Thieves fail to steal car, but still loot teens at gunpoint in robbery at Brookside Park

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A group of teenagers was robbed at gunpoint in a popular Kansas City, Mo., park, according to police.

The robbery happened Sunday night around 11:30 at Brookside Park near East 57th and McGee streets. Police believe another group of teens is responsible. They said one of four male teenagers wielded a shotgun to threaten the victims.

No one was hurt, but the thieves eventually made off with hundreds of dollars in cash, phones, jewelry and purses.

Police have yet to arrest anyone, leaving people who live nearby on edge.

“It’s a family park,” said Kathleen Fitzgerald. “People are here with kids regularly – morning, afternoon and evening. It’s always just been a safe, comfortable neighborhood park so to hear that is just really shocking.”

Laura Brooks, a mother of two who lives nearby, agreed.

“It was really scary,” she said. “The idea that somebody would have a shotgun in my park is really scary. And that people were robbed at gunpoint, that’s terrible.”

Police said one of the thieves even tried to steal one of the victim’s cars, but couldn’t figure out how to start it so they ran off instead.

If you know anything about the crime, call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.